Wasps Disappoint In Front Of Their Own Supporters (Again)

26 FEBRUARY 2019 | ROB SUTTON | 08:00

“It’s Time The Players Gave Dai Young Something To Smile About, Starting With A Win In Tiger Country!” Wasps 18 Sale 24

Arriving at the Ricoh Arena on a glorious Saturday afternoon, many Wasps fans seemed to have a spring in their step. The superb win at Bristol coupled with two new signings announced, brought a buzz back to the stadium.

Sadly, the optimism didn’t last long, as once more Wasps disappointed in front of their own supporters. Our home record in all competitions this season now reads a rather dispiriting P13, W3, D1, L9. Yet before the start of this season, we had only lost 10 matches at the Ricoh in all competitions since moving to Coventry!

It is pretty simple to sum up what went wrong in the first half against Sale – everything! In fact, the Sharks must have left the pitch wondering how they were only nine points ahead at half time. They were that dominant & Wasps simply had no answer.

One Positive Was The Return Of Jack Willis | Photo: (c) David Howlett

The second half was an improvement, but Wasps deserved nothing more than a losing bonus point. And although many people have criticised the performance of referee Andrew Jackson, whilst I do agree it was a below par display from him, this was not the reason Wasps lost.

The controversial penalty try decision, in my opinion was the correct one & had it been at the other end of the pitch, every Wasps fan in the ground would have been screaming for it. All in all, this was not a performance Wasps’ off-field team were hoping for on the day they launched the 2019-20 season ticket packages! Luckily in rugby however, there is always next week & what an occasion awaits us at Welford Road, heading for a sell out for what could be a pivotal Midlands derby.

Too often this season, I believe that some Wasps players have not been playing for their coach or the supporters. Dai Young has been very open about how hard this season has been for him personally & it is time the players gave him something to smile about. A win in Tiger country would do so much for him, the club & realistically if we still have top four ambitions, which this club should have, it is a must win game.

Dai Young Faces The Media | Photo: (c) David Howlett

I look forward to joining the many Wasps supporters in Leicester on Saturday & I sincerely hope Dai & I will be leaving with a smile on our faces after so many journeys home this season reflecting on bad days at the office.